Wide Differences Among Schools and Districts Demonstrate the Importance of Effective Teachers and Leadership from Principals and Local Officials in Eliminating the Racial and Ethnic Achievement Gap

WASHINGTON, DC, APRIL 22, 2009 - A McKinsey & Company study released today, The Economic Impact of the Achievement Gap in America’s Schools, reveals that the persistence of racial and ethnic achievement gaps experienced by black and Latino students in our nation’s schools impose on the United States the economic consequences that amount to a permanent national recession. The study also documents the wide variations in the achievement gap that exist among similar schools and districts. The findings clearly demonstrate the importance of teachers, principals and local leaders in eliminating the racial and ethnic achievement gap, and underscores that race and poverty are not destiny.

“Today, a public school education is the same as sitting in the back of the bus for black, Latino and other minority students,” said Reverend Al Sharpton, co-founder of the Education Equality Project and President of National Action Network. “We must refuse to accept classrooms where learning is not taking place, and the racial and ethnic achievement gap is destroying children’s chances for economic opportunity. We must close the gap.”

The report’s key data points include:

For individuals, the education achievement gap often leads to:

•lower lifetime earnings;

•poorer health; and

•higher rates of incarceration.

For many students, an achievement gap is evident as early as fourth grade and can predict:

•rates of high school and college graduation; and

•lifetime earnings.

Failing to close the achievement gap affecting black and Latino students led to an economic loss in 2008 of between $310 billion and $525 billion, or 2 to 4 percent of the United States’ Gross Domestic Product.

Failing to close the achievement gap affecting low-income students led to an economic loss in 2008 of between $400 billion to $670 billion, or 3 to 5 percent of the United States’ Gross Domestic Product.

“The Supreme Court decided 55 years ago that separate is not equal in public education - but in 2009, America’s goal of educating all children regardless of race, ethnic background or economic status remains unfulfilled,” New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein said. “The lingering inequality is harming our students - and our country’s future - and it’s our duty to work together to fix it.”

On Saturday, May 16th at 10am in our nation’s capitol, Reverend Al Sharpton and National Action Network will gather thousands of supporters together to demand real equality in public education now.

Prominent Leaders, Activists, Performers, and Supporters will stand and say: “55 years is too long to wait.” We will tell our leaders that the time to enact real reform in public education is now. The time to give all students the same opportunities is now. The time of waiting is over.

The Education Equality Project is leading a civil rights movement to eliminate the racial and ethnic achievement gap in public education by working to create an effective school for every child. www.edequality.org